Arkane Studios showcased its upcoming FPS and RPG hybrid Redfall at a recent Developer Direct, displaying equipment specially crafted to overthrow the game's vampire army. This story-driven world was described as providing an interactive sandbox in either solo or co-op, and it may be a signal that Arkane's signature gameplay returns albeit on a larger scale. Redfall could be a special title for players in the Xbox ecosystem, and its weapons have the chance to truly promote the standard of immersion that the studio is famous for. Weapon mods should be a natural extension of this effort, as Redfall's protagonists indeed modify their guns using bayonet-like stakes to fend off cultists and undead alike.
The game's seemingly responsive gunplay, in conjunction with destructive environmental effects, hearkens back to id Software's visceral combat beats - another Bethesda subsidiary that is reported to have assisted Arkane in Redfall's production. However, player agency is often recognized as the core of Arkane's best games, and many fans appreciate the collision of dynamic systems where every choice can make a difference in the game world. What might worry certain fans is that stake-fitted finisher moves may only function as a visual bonus. Redfall, in its aim for more combat approaches, needs to incentivize substantial decision-making through its weapon loadouts, prioritizing function over form.
How Vampire-Killing Stakes Might Work in Redfall
Redfall has revealed a selection of standard firearms in its arsenal, although the title is also supported by fictional contraptions - like ultraviolet beams, incendiary handguns, and futuristic rifles. Stakes are an added option, highlighted in Redfall's latest gameplay demo as skins that can adorn ranged weaponry. Melee attacks with stake mods appear to be powerful, as it is one of the classic killing methods in vampire lore, but the brutality of these in-game animations suggests even greater potential. If options for close-quarters combat are otherwise limited, these stakes' presence may be a missed opportunity in enabling alternate forms of battle.
There are multiple variables affecting customization in Redfall, each impacting how players might assemble their own playstyle. Starting off, there are four available characters that each have unique skill trees, including Jacob the sharpshooter, Remi the combat engineer, Devinder the inventor, and Layla the telekinetic researcher. While the game is designed so that any of these heroes are equally viable in Redfall's single-player mode, it is likely that an effective combination of weapons and abilities will be essential in reclaiming the setting's island town. The option of melee would complement these aforementioned roles, and stakes could be an appropriate upgrade for secondary attacks that repel weakened foes.
In what has been shown thus far, the game's description of stake mods offers no indication of stat bonuses that might enhance players' abilities. Skins in multiplayer games are a common feature in addition to gun attachments, particularly in the FPS genre, and Arkane likely has plans to offer a comprehensive array of upgrades for characters and equipment. The concern is that, despite providing artistic flavor, these collectible stake mods may not offer much utility over the course of Redfall's campaign.
The Importance of Redfall's Weapon Upgrades and Stake Mods
Arkane Studios consistently prioritizes strategic action, so it would only be logical to move the focus toward weapon tuning given Redfall's non-linear nature. Many immersive Arkane games, such as its massively-underrated FPS Prey, invoke a strong sensation of player choice in crafting which should influence the mechanics of the developer's next project. In this respect, stakes would be better appreciated if they serve a purpose beyond being a decorative example of the title's darker themes. Arkane's stylized art direction is prominent with its sharp colors and edges, and fans would hope that its in-depth progression will not be taking a backseat in Redfall either.
One of the defining terms that sets Arkane games apart is substance, and its next undead adventure holds a lot of promise in showcasing high-octane combat mixed with stealth elements, all balanced by weapons and skills. The co-op world of Redfall has an incentive to include more weapon variety than in previous games, and it would be exciting to see equipment upgrades being pushed to a degree where stake mods play a valuable part in the vampire-hunting fantasy too. Arkane might be feeling the pressure being in the spotlight as an Xbox exclusive - with that attention, however, the team potentially has the support it needs to portray these immortal horrors faithfully without overlooking their iconic vulnerabilities.
Redfall will launch for PC and Xbox Series X/S on May 2.